Residential leasing scheme


What is the Leasing Scheme?
 
Highland Council is keen to increase the number of houses we have to let to people in housing need.   One way we do this is by encouraging private landlords to lease their properties to the Highland Council so that we can then sub let the properties to applicants for housing. 
 
We are particularly keen to bring unused housing back into use, such as holiday homes or empty properties.
 
If you are a home owner then please read on and consider making contact with your nearest Housing and Property Office to discuss the opportunity leasing provides.
 
Alternatively if you know someone who is a home owner and who might be interested in leasing to the Council, please draw their attention to this scheme.

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What happens next? 
 
If you are interested in this scheme you should make contact with the nearest Housing and Property Office to the location of the property.  
 
The Council will give you a copy of a draft lease. You should seek independent legal advice on this lease.  
 
You should advise the Council how much rent you are seeking for the property and the Council will assess how much they are able to pay.   
 
The Council may then arrange to inspect your property.  We will only take on properties that meet set minimum standards.  
 
If there are any works necessary to bring the property up to that minimum standard, the Council will give you a list of what these works are.  You will be responsible for getting any works completed.  
 
When the works have been completed, a further inspection is undertaken and digital photographs taken as evidence of the condition of the property.   A copy is given to you if requested 
 
A date of entry is then agreed and the lease is signed. 

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What are the benefits? 
 
This type of arrangement means you can continue to be paid rent but have no direct involvement in letting the property and you do not have to manage the tenancy.  
 
The Council lets the property and is the landlord of the tenant.   We then have to deal with all aspects of the tenancy, such as collecting rent, etc and picks up all the extra costs associated with letting a property. 
 
The Council guarantees to give the property back in the same condition as when it is first let, at no cost to the owner. 
 
The rent is paid 6 months in advance whether the property is occupied or not. 

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Will it cost me anything?
 
Yes, there are some costs associated with setting up the lease.  These will include:

  • From 1 May 2006, you will have to have submitted an application form to be registered as a private landlord with the Council.
  • Obtaining an electrical safety certificate.
  • Obtaining a gas safety certificate if there is any gas in the property.
  • There may be some works required to bring the property up to a lettable standard.

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How does it work?
 
The Council will agree a lease with the owner. (A copy of a draft lease is available on request.) 
 
The lease will be for a period of between 3 and 20 years. 
 
The Council will then let the property and issue a tenancy to someone who is on our housing waiting list. 
 
The Council accepts responsibility for all management and maintenance of the property for the duration of the lease. 
 
The owner is only responsible to keep the property wind and water tight, i.e. is responsible for structural repairs such as the roof or external walls. 
 
The Council is responsible for any void periods, i.e. the owner will be paid even when the property is empty. 

For more information, please e-mail: housingandproperty@highland.gov.uk
 

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